What God has chosen what is weak?
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NIV
Now Paul confirms that God does indeed choose foolish and weak people, as defined by human terms, to come to Him through faith in Christ. Why does God do this? He wants to shame those who consider themselves too wise or strong to believe such a thing.
God loves to use weak people to fulfill his will. First Corinthians 1:27 says, “God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful” (GNT).
but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no ...
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul quotes Jesus who said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God is perfect in every way, giving Him the power to make up for any weaknesses we have.
And God has chosen to use weak people to shame the wise and the strong. One day, God will show the world who is worthy of heaven! Isaiah 25:8 states, “The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him.
He gives power to those who are fainting; He gives strength to those who lack power. When we are weak, He is strong. In waiting on Him, our strength will be revived.
Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
What God says during difficult times?
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
What Constitutes a “Weak” Believer? Paul then goes on to say that the one who is unnecessarily limited in his choices because of his poor understanding of scripture is the weak one, while the one who is liberated by his faith is the strong one, but that neither has the right to disrespect or condemn the other.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Throughout the Bible we see God using imperfect people for the sake of his mission to bring hope to the world. I never quite understood why Jesus chose the individuals he did, but I am guessing his reasoning was to further prove the validity of his being.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
God uses people who have a sense of compatibility. Being called of God, to have character, a commitment to Christ and competence in terms of spiritual gifts leads to a sense of compatibility. Our Lord delights in seeing us follow Him and being well matched with the ministry to which God has called us.
1 Corinthians 1:25-30 NIV
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Paul is strong when he is weak because when he is weak, God's grace is most powerful.
The "weakness" referred to is specifically in this one particular area, or for that question alone. Paul means these believers do not yet fully trust that God has set them free from observing the law or religious rule following.
The first thing God desires of His people, is that they do justice. Not merely appreciate justice, not simply assent that justice is good, but we are to do justice. Our actions reflect our beliefs.
Does God want us to be rich or poor?
God shows no partiality. He doesn't regard only the rich, or only the poor. He created them both. He loves both rich and poor.
God Wants To Be Honored
Pro 3:9 KJV Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: God in His fullness and infinite glory is not in need of any earthly treasure; money inclusive. However, God greatly appreciates it when we give Him our wealth because He views it as a way of honor.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NIV
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
Yes, God chooses and uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. He doesn't need our ability, but rather our availability. He uses ordinary people who have nothing of their own to offer, but their faithfulness and willingness to say “Yes” to God.
1 Corinthians 1:27 In-Context
Not many of you had great influence. Not many of you came from important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and he chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
In Joel 3:10 we read, “Let the weak say, I am strong.” Notice that strength is first something we confess with our mouths.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.
Isaiah 40: 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless: Christian Journal, Bible Verse Cover, Study Journal.
“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands,” not just by doing nothing when she should be working, but by tearing things apart with her own hands, feet, and tongue.
Foolish people are self-involved, overly optimistic regarding their own views, and unable to see their own vulnerabilities. They assume they already know all that needs to be known. Foolish individuals are apathetic—indifferent to outgroups, ethical concerns, and the common good. They are unimaginative and dogmatic.
Is a foolish thought a sin?
Proverbs 24:9 KJV
The thought of foolishness is sin: And the scorner is an abomination to men.
God shows us our weakness so that we learn to rely on his strength. And when the God of all comfort makes you uncomfortable, it is because he is stirring you up to a greater level of spiritual awareness and growth. Revelation 3:19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
We need to have confidence and assurance as we reach out to God with our struggles, that whatever He decides to happen is for our own well-being. If our questions are not answered in the ways we hoped, instead of being quick to judgment and worry, we can rest in God by keeping our faith in His infinite grace.
God Allows Suffering to Bring Us Closer to Him
And He often uses hard times to get our attention. When things are going great we are not so quick to turn to Him. But when trials come, they often drive us to our knees in search of answers and comfort.
We cannot simply repent of being weak—nor does weakness itself make us unclean. We cannot grow spiritually unless we reject sin, but we also do not grow spiritually unless we accept our state of human weakness, respond to it with humility and faith, and learn through our weakness to trust in God.
- Step 1: Turn to God and Pray. It may sound obvious, but the answer to any problem is to turn to God. ...
- Step 2: Talk to Yourself Rather than Listening to Yourself. ...
- Step 3: Keep Up Your Spiritual Disciplines. ...
- Step 4: Wait and Expect God to Answer Your Prayers.
At long last, Delilah demanded that he reveal the secret. Samson confessed that he would lose his strength “if my head were shaved” (Judges 16:15- 17). While he slept, the faithless Delilah brought in a Philistine who cut Samson's hair, draining his strength.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
- Honestly tell God what you're feeling.
- Humbly ask God for strength.
- Gratefully thank God for all that's good despite the bad.
- Constantly keep your focus on God.
God gives His power and strength to those who obey His word.
It is available to you. All you need to do is connect to Him through trusting in Him, taking in his Word, and obeying what He says.
How does God use our weakness as a strength?
In whatever area of weakness we find ourselves, whether in ourselves or our circumstances, the Holy Spirit “helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26). The grace of God is sufficient and made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and we can receive grace upon grace from Him in our time of need (John 1:16).
Third, through His grace He can make weak things become strong. If we humble ourselves and have faith in Jesus Christ, then His grace will enable us to change. In other words, He will empower us to change.
- Self-critical.
- Insecure.
- Disorganized.
- Prone to procrastination.
- Uncomfortable with public speaking.
- Uncomfortable with delegating tasks.
- Risk-averse.
- Competitive.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
The actual meaning of the word ought as used here means to owe or be under obligation. We who are able have an obligation before God to bear (endure, carry) the infirmities (doubt, conviction of conscience) of the weak. We owe it to brethren weaker in the faith to show charity to them in their doubt.
Psalm 9:9 “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 5 “The 'gods' know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
He gives us the strength “to comprehend” His greatness, His power, His promises, His love. Gods nature and character needs to be freshly revealed to us so that we can comprehend. This revelation, may add to what we already know about Him from His Word.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.